Unacceptable Levels is an excellent documentary on the ramifications of the chemicals we put into our bodies every single day with zero knowledge as to how they would manifest today.

Director Ed Brown exposes many years of devastation from as far back as the early 1930’s. He shows how to possibly alleviate the hidden ingredients when purchasing any products at the grocery store, and the unknowns of disease that are still out there looming. Most of the food, cleaning supplies, and other household products we purchase as consumers are so full of names we can’t even pronounce.

How do we think that doesn’t harm us?

With Ed, it all started with a glass of water.

He wanted to understand more about something as crucial as the water we drink. He revealed how these toxic chemicals get into our water and food supply every single day. I walked away from that film feeling enlightened and energized—he challenged me to examine all the products in my house.

As a lifelong health nut, I read labels, yet Ed takes it a step further in suggesting to write your Congress person on studies conducted as far back as the early 1900’s, to acquire more information on why cancer is rampant these days.

The disease isn’t something that just became real in this millennium; it dates back to the early 1900’s and possibly before then. Everything from cigarette smoking, environmental pollution, cleaning supplies, pesticides on crops, and widespread spraying in cities to rid of bugs or rodents has taken a toll on our own personal health of today.

How could we have known back in those early years that our chronic illnesses would show up every single day in every single person?

I was fascinated to learn many details about the chemical industries—the big corporate greed machines—who only want to earn a buck regardless of human suffering or health. It’s still going on today.

The film even noted that one in every two children born in the year 2000 will develop Type 2 diabetes due to our tainted food supply. I mean, nothing on the shelves in major box chain grocery stores is even food anymore!

We currently have an outbreak of a stomach virus that has been linked to tainted salad greens. Are we paying attention to this? Will it force us to run in fear of salad greens now and resort to canned goods? I have no clue.

If anything, my hope is it will wake people up to the idea of growing their own fruits and vegetables, if given the opportunity. If not, at least shop at markets where the farmers are present and you can talk to them about their crops. This is where we can take those small steps.

Sometimes, we might need to take giant leaps, just to get out of the dust of toxic past days and years.

The film is a must see; it reinforces the need to take responsibility for our health and our lives. Three components for a healthy life were mentioned by Chris Brewer (Livestrong Foundation) at the end of the film: eat right, exercise 5-6 times per week and don’t smoke. Music to my ears!

Sounds simple enough, yet these three things can be the most difficult to accomplish, as it breaks down every facet of human emotion, willingness and desire. If we can begin with these three changes, even on a small scale, we will contribute to Mother Earth in a way that transcends all else.

We are all one. We all play a part in this big picture. Ridding ourselves of toxicity on any level will set the intention that Ed so eloquently stated in his film.

If you have an opportunity to catch Ed’s story, I encourage it. Not only will you be delighted with beautiful and heart-warming clips of Ed’s family, but you will walk away wanting to do a clean sweep of all products in your refrigerator and pantry, and simply start all over with mindfulness.

About Gerry Ellen

Gerry Ellen is an author, freelance writer, and wellness consultant. She recently launched her own gig called *8 Paws Wellness with Gerry Ellen* which combines all of her passions (outdoors, yoga, strength, meditation, writing, dogs, fun!) Her first novel Ripple Effects was published in March 2012. As a regular contributor to elephant journal, Be You Media Group, Light Workers World, Meet Mindful, Tattooed Buddha and Rebelle Society, she also balances incredible friendships, heart-centered connections, and sharing her experiences of life and love. These are the things that matter to her most. Her second book A Big Piece of Driftwood, published in April 2014, is also available on Amazon.com.

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Zoe, I agree that agave has it's downsides and you shouldn't overdo desserts with agave but that's is why it is a dessert, not a main dish, you should do it in moderation. Agave is a better choice than white sugar but it's still a sugar, highly refined and you shouldn't overdo it – the same goes to any refined stuff like oils etc. I don't use honey in this recipe because raw honey has too much aroma and flavor and you don't always want that in your dessert, and coconut sugar because I needed dry sweetener.
And as I said it's a healthier dessert but it's still a dessert.

And gave comes in glass too sometimes.

Also instead of the sweeteners I used you can use self-made date paste.